System and method for providing mobile device services using SMS communications

ABSTRACT

An enhanced services platform has an interface for receiving a communication from a user requesting a desired data. An automated response module parses the communication and retrieves the desired data. The enhanced services platform arranges the desired data into a response message that is sent to the user, where the response message includes an embedded code corresponding to a link allowing the user to re-contact the enhanced services platform. An operator assistance module receives communications from the user initiated via the link to provide further assistance regarding the user&#39;s request.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims the benefit of priority fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/699,050, filed on Jul. 13,2005; 60/783,612, filed on Mar. 17, 2006; 60/757,920, filed on Jan. 9,2006; 60/763,949, filed on Jan. 30, 2006; 60/772,535, filed on Feb. 9,2006; 60/786,834, filed on Mar. 28, 2006; 60/799,413, filed on May 10,2006; and 60/799,719, filed on May 11, 2006, the entirety of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to mobile device services. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to directory assistanceservices using SMS/MMS/EMS (Short Message Service/Multimedia MessageService/Enhanced Message Service).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of mobile technology, such as cellular telephones andwireless enabled PDAs, etc. . . . , many services are available to theuser's to enhance their experience. Some of these services mirrortraditional telephone services such as directory assistance. Otherservices, such as downloadable ring-tones, videos, or music clips, arenewer features that have been recently developed for the mobile digitaldevice.

Another common feature on mobile devices is SMS or Short MessageService, also commonly referred to as text messaging. Currently, textmessaging and other forms of mobile text delivery, wireless e-mail forexample, are used mostly for short text communications between users,but have more recently been used to upgrade traditional services likedirectory assistance where a user is forwarded a text message of arequested listing after the operator provides it so they don't have towrite the number down.

With ever increasing data transfer capacity in wireless networks, andwith increased processing speeds and storage capacity in the mobiledevices themselves, SMS and other text and related text and filetransfer technologies have vastly improved capabilities. However, theservices provided by the mobile carriers and other third parties havenot kept pace with the advancing capacities of the mobile messaging andfile transfer technologies, particularly in the field of directoryassistance.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and methodfor offering mobile subscribers improved services, including improvedtwo-way text directory assistance, using SMS and related technologiesfor communication and delivery of products and services.

To this end, the present invention provides for an enhanced servicesplatform has an interface for receiving a communication from a userrequesting a desired data. An automated response module parses thecommunication and retrieves the desired data. The enhanced servicesplatform arranges the desired data into a response message that is sentto the user, where the response message includes an embedded codecorresponding to a link allowing the user to re-contact the enhancedservices platform. An operator assistance module receives communicationsfrom the user initiated via the link to provide further assistanceregarding the user's request.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation,together with features, objects, and advantages thereof may best beunderstood by reference to the following detailed description when readwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical arrangement of user in connection with theenhanced services platform, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an arrangement for enhanced services platform fromFIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary transaction record stored in theenhanced services platform from FIG. 2, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary derivative user profile stored in theenhanced services platform from FIG. 2, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for two way SMS directory assistance via theenhanced services platform from FIG. 2, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a response message from the enhanced service platformfrom FIG. 2 to the user, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates linking data module from FIG. 2, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a user and mobile device in an object recognitionsetting, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for object recognition, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for mobile tagging, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for private banking, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a sample application for from the private bankingprocess of FIG. 11, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of an on-line voting system on the enhancedservice platform, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is an image of a game console and enhanced service platform, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart for downloading files to the console in FIG. 14from enhanced services platform, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an SMS conferencing module in enhancedservices platform, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 17 is a flow chart for creating a multi-modal SMS on conferencingmodule from FIG. 7, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, amobile user 10 employs mobile device 12 with camera 13 to contact anenhanced services platform 20, either through their mobile carrier 14 ordirectly through an internet connection or the like. For the purposes ofillustration, mobile device 12 is discussed throughout as amobile/cellular telephone. However it is understood that anycommunication device such as wireless PDA, laptops or other suchelectronic devices, may contact platform 20 and use the hereafterdiscussed services. Additionally, enhanced services platform 20 isunderstood to be interchangeable as both a portion/sub-section of alarger pre-existing services platform such as a directory assistanceplatform, or alternatively as a stand alone system. In either case theinventive features discussed below are novel regardless of thearchitecture upon which they are offered.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2, anexemplary enhanced services platform 20 is shown. The below describedmodules are intended only as non-limiting examples for illustrating thesalient features of the present invention. For example, the modulesdescribed herein are done so to show their logical functions. However,certain alternative designs may incorporate multiple functions within asingle module, or alternatively, a separate single function may beperformed on multiple modules. Any similar system offering comparableservices using similar modules is within the contemplation of thepresent invention.

Thus, in FIG. 2, platform 20 maintains a telephonic interface module 25,an electronic format interface module 30, an operator assistance module35, an automated response module 40, a record database module 45, abilling module 48, a derivative user identifier database module 50, avoting module 55, and a data/listing module 60.

Telephonic interface module 25 is configured to receive traditionalinbound voice telephone calls, whether wireless, wire line, VoIP or anyother voice communication format. Telephonic Interface module 25 employsswitches, trunk lines, call distribution software and other such devicesincident to handling large call volumes to platform 20. Telephonicinterface module 25 is coupled to both operator assistance module 35 andautomated response module 40.

Electronic format interface module 30 is configured to allow users 10 tocommunicate with enhanced services platform 20 through electronicmessaging formats including SMS, e-mail, HTML, WAP, IM . . . or anyother types of text capable communication formats. Such connections maybe wireless, via the internet or any other communications manner whichallows data and/or text to be transmitted to and from platform 20. Liketelephonic interface module 25, electronic format interface module 30 iscoupled to both operator assistance module 35 and automated responsemodule 40.

Operator assistance module 35 is configured to handle incoming calls tothe system by live operator from either telephonic interface module 25or electronic format interface module 30. Operator assistance module 35can be any conventional live operator assistance arrangement, employingplurality of operators and a queuing system. Operator assistance module35 may be located at a single location with numerous operators, oralternatively, the operators may be located in geographically separatelocations, connected by T3 or other such high capacity telephone lines.Furthermore, operator assistance module 35 may be arranged so that inaddition to live verbal communications, the operators may also be set upfor live text communications such as live IM, Chat, etc. . . . shouldsuch communications to platform 20 be received via electronic formatinterface module 30. It is understood that in any instance through thepresent application when a live operator or live CSR (Customer ServiceRepresentative) is connected to, such communication may occur either byvoice or in the above described live text formats.

In one embodiment of the present invention an automated response module40 is coupled to both electronic format interface 30 as well astelephonic interface 25. In the case of incoming calls from telephonicinterface module 25, automated response module 40 is able to provide theuser with pre-recorded voice questions, and receive verbal or keyedresponses from user 10. Via such communications between user 10 andsystem 20, automated response platform 40 can accept a request from user10 and contact listing/database module 60 to obtain the desiredinformation or service the desired request as discussed below.

In the alternative situation, when automated response module 40 receivesincoming calls from electronic format interface 30, automated responsemodule 40 simply parses the text issued by user 10 as discussed belowand contact listing/database module 60 to obtain the desired informationor service the desired request. This information can then be forwardedback to user 10 via electronic format interface in the same or someother desired text format.

Record database module 45 is configured to store data corresponding toeach transaction between user 10 and platform 20. This information isused by platform 20 when a user 10 or platform 20 wants to re-access aprevious data or services request for any reason, such as if the firstinformation given is either inaccessible or incorrect as discussed inmore detail below.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, for each transaction between user10 and system 12, a transaction record 100 is generated having variousfields including but not limited to a transaction record ID field 101, auser field 102 for identifying the user, device field 104 foridentifying the device 12 used by user 10, time and date field 106 forstoring the time and date of the user 10 request, requested data field108 including the request from user 10, and delivered data 110 includingthe output from platform 20 to the mobile device 12 of user 10. Theaddition of other fields used for supporting the below describedfunctions of platform 20 are also within the contemplation of thepresent invention.

Billing module 48 is coupled to record module 45 as well as automatedresponse module 40 and operator terminal module 35 and is configured totrack the two-way SMS sessions and record the appropriate billinginformation so that carriers 14 can appropriately charge users 10 asdiscussed in more detail below

Derivative user identifier database module 50 is configured to storeinformation about user 10 when they frequently contact platform 20. As auser 10 continues to contact platform 20 various habits of user 10 maybe discerned and stored as a profile in database module 50.

For example, FIG. 4 shows an exemplary derivative user profile 200having a user identifier field 202, a history field 204, containing thehistory of past user 10 requests, and a preferences field 206. In onearrangement, preferences field 206 can be derived by algorithm fromhistory field 204 contents. For example, if a user 10 calls platform 20three times, and each time requests Spanish Language preference, suchrequests are stored in history field 204 and may be incorporated into aSpanish language preference for preferences field 206. Alternatively, auser 10 may contact platform 20 directly, via the internet, SMS or bywireless telephone call and the like, and directly set preferences infield 206.

As described in more detail below, when user 10 contacts platform 20,platform 20 checks derivative user identifier database module 50 for anexisting user profile 200. If none exists, then platform 20 processesthe call as a new user. If a profile 200 does exist for this user 10then their preferences from field 206 are utilized to handle theincoming request and their current request is added to the history field204. Such actions allow platform 20 to handle incoming calls or textmessages faster and with better accuracy.

It is understood that preferences field 206 may include any number ofpreferred actions, including how user 10 is handled when they contactplatform 20, to what type of services (directory assistance, downloadfeatures, other services, etc. . . . ) user 10 frequently requests.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a voting module 55 isincluded in platform 20. Voting module 55 is configured to allow all ofthe users 10 for platform 20 to have their votes recorded on variousquestions or in promotional contests as described in more detail below.

In one embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1, adata listing module 60 is connected to both operator assistance module35 and automated response module 40 and configured to allow thosemodules to look up and respond to the request of user 10.

For example, in a standard directory assistance request, either bytelephone call or SMS, platform 20 receives the request and looks up thecontact information from data listing module 60. In another example,when user 10 requests a downloadable or executable file, likewise thisinformation or its address is stored in data listing module 60.

It is understood that data listing module 60 is only intended as asample of a data storage module. However, given the vast sums of datarequired to implement even a common directory assistance system, letalone the additional search and download features described below, datalisting module 60 is contemplated to be either located in-house in partor in whole or alternatively located remotely, possibly by a thirdparty, also in part or in whole. It is also contemplated that the datalisting module 60 may not store the data or listings themselves butrather simply store addresses on various third party systems, thatcorrespond to the requested data. Any such configuration or combinationof configurations that allows platform 20 to find requested data orlistings is within the contemplation of the present invention.

Turning now to en exemplary interaction with enhanced services platform20, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a user 10 contacts platform 20 by SMS toreceive traditional directory assistance such as the telephone number,either wireless or wire line, of a second party. It is noted that SMS isused throughout for example, but the present invention is equallyapplicable to all forms of mobile text communications, including MMS andEMS.

To this end, enhanced services platform 20 is configured to provide thedirectory assistance entirely by two way text (SMS) communication withuser 10 and to further provide a live operator option if the need foradditional assistance should arise.

Such a two-way SMS service on platform 20 allows user 10 to searchbusiness, residential, and government listings from a National DirectoryAssistance and International Directory Assistance database via SMS.Platform 20 also searches enhanced listings in listing data module 60such as category searches, reverse searches, movies, sports, stocks,directions, etc., and delivers the content via SMS text messaging touser 10. It allows user 10 to send and receive requests in both Englishand other languages such as Spanish, delivering formatted text data tothe carrier's 14 SMSC (Short Message Service Center) via SMTP (SimpleMail Transfer Protocol) or SMPP (Short Message Peer-to-Peer) protocolthrough a VPN (Virtual Private Number) connection with the listinginformation containing the listing name, phone number, address, andback-end marketing message as discussed in detail below. This serviceintegrates with third-party SMS aggregators, should the direct connectmethod not be available through carrier 14.

It is understood that such SMS searches are not limited solely to directtelephone number look-up, but may also include category searches,reverse searches, movies, sports stocks, directions and the like. It isassumed that the below described operation may further be enhanced byusing location data, either provided directly by user 10 or by someother auto location system in device 12 such as GPS (Global PositioningSystem) so that nearest to me requests can be made.

Furthermore, in the present example, user 10 requests a traditionaldirectory assistance request. However, this is in no way intended tolimit the scope of the invention. Numerous other features beyondtraditional directory assistance are described below in later examples,but the features and steps used for two-way SMS communication betweenuser 10 and platform 20 expressed herein are equally applicable in thelater examples.

Thus, in step 300, user 10 generates an initial SMS request and sends itto platform 20, with the desired request. If the message is sent throughcarrier 14 they may dip the LNP database prior to sending the textmessage to ensure that it goes to the appropriate address. Next, at step302, electronic format interface module 30 receives the incoming SMSmessage and forwards it to automated response module 40 for initialprocessing of the request. Additionally, platform 20 may reviewpreferences field 206 of stored profile 200 and apply any preferencesthat are applicable to the request such as Spanish language. It is notedhere that although the present example envisions an SMS or text messagefrom user 10, as noted above, automated response module 40 is capable ofhandling incoming voice calls in an automated manner as well. It isunderstood that the following operations of parsing including parsingvoice requests in step 304 and 306 conducted by automated responsemodule 40 are also within the contemplation of the present invention.

At step 304, automated response module 40 parses the request andcontacts listing data module 60 to determine if platform 20 maintainsthe desired listing. Automated response platform, as it is parsing textdata from user 10, maintains numerous algorithms to resolve the request.

Automated response module 40 is flexible enough to accept partial words,cities, etc. Text requests have a tendency to be error prone but need tobe adaptable to recover with minimal impact to user 10. Error correctionis executed when user 10 makes mistakes that are easy to detect.Examples include simple typographical errors, duplicate localities,mismatched zip codes, etc. . . . . Automated response module 40 may evensend some suggestions to correct the mistakes and allows user 10 toselect among multiple choices.

User 10 can search for listings in a variety of different ways which arepreferably not case sensitive. Locality searches are flexible enough foruser 10 to request listings by city, neighborhood, state, area code, zipcode, or a combination of the afore-mentioned.

a. Business Name Locality b. Residential Name Locality c. Gov't OfficeLocality d. EDA Locality

Examples:

a. starbucks nazareth, pa b. john smith nyc c. police new jersey d. starwars 18017 e. delis 212 f. Italian restaurants little italy, ny

DA Residential queries can be made in the following ways:

-   -   First name, last name, city, state    -   First name, last name, state    -   First name, last name, area code    -   First name, last name, zip code    -   Phone number (NPA-NXX-NNNN)    -   Last name, first name, city, state    -   Last name, first name, state    -   Last name, first name, area code    -   Last name, first name, zip code    -   Last name, city, state    -   Last name, state    -   Last name, area code    -   Last name, zip code

Other options are available for user 10 to text requests using listingcodes, such as ‘bus’, ‘res’, ‘gov’, and ‘eda’ for their listing. An‘eda’ code includes the entire suite of enhanced services such as, butnot limited to category search, reverse search, movies, restaurants,weather, stocks, sports, events, and directions.

Example

a. bus dr smith bethlehem, pa b. res dr smith bethlehem, pa c. gov courtclerk easton, pa d. mov star wars bethlehem, pa e. sports yankees nyc f.rev 610 997 1000

In the event the text request from user 10 is ambiguous and/or returnstoo many listings, at step 305 users may be presented with the option tonarrow their search before being given the option to connect to a liveoperator for additional help.

For example, a message such as: “Too many listings. For business-press1, residence-press 2, government-press 3, and enhanced service-press 4.”may be sent if necessary.

Specifically, during the parsing process, automated response module 40constantly polls the incoming requests looking for new user 10 directoryassistance messages to process. Preferably every five seconds, automatedresponse module 40 looks for new messages. If new messages are presentit delivers the message processing thread. The processing threaddetermines which handler or subroutine that must be used to process thisrequest based on certain criteria. For example, for calls processed inthe United States, there is a need to determine that there is a U.S.request to choose the correct handler. Various handlers or subroutinesare supported by the system for handling all manner of text requests.

The processing thread of the automated response platform cleans theincoming text of punctuation and unnecessary spaces. Once the message iscleaned, it is broken out into an array of words contained in themessage. From these words valid locality/state combinations aredetermined, and these words are flagged as such. Each one of thesecombinations is then deemed a search. A zip code translates out to alocality/state combination and produces a search. Out of the remainingwords the handler function of the automated response module 40 checks ifa street identifier is present, such as Road, Rd, Avenue, Ave, etc. Ifthe street identifier is present, it and the preceding word are flaggedas such. The remaining words are flagged as possible keywords for thesearch. Next, each search is checked to see if it is a category search.If every keyword in the search in order matches a category header thesearch is tagged with the category ID.

Once all searches are determined with their fields, they are employedfor a request, and the results of the searches are compiled together.Each search is run in multiple ways depending on the availableinformation. Each request search can generate one or two Business,Category, Residential, and Government searches.

Thus in this example, each component of the parsed request is runagainst database 60 as a separate search, resulting in numerous lists ofresponses that each has a number of results. Each result list is runthrough a filter as discussed below.

After all the returned listings are grouped together a series of filtersis run against them until the count is preferably between 1 and 3, nolistings are left, or all filters have been run. If the ending countsare not between 1 and 3 the found locality information is pre-pended tothe request text, and the request is issued to a customer servicerepresentative at operator terminal module 35 or a “could not process”message is sent with a link to an operator. Otherwise the remaininglistings are stored in record data base 45 and the request is marked asprocessed.

It is understood that the above example is only one example of a parsingmethod used by platform 20. However, any parsing process capable ofbreaking down a text request from user 10 and retrieving a correspondingset of desired listings is within the contemplation of the presentinvention.

Returning to the exemplary parsing process, the above described filtersemployed by automated response module 40 may include but are not limitedto:

1) Non-Published numbers are left out;

2) Listings without phone numbers are left out;

3) Duplicate listings with the same phone number are removed based onweighting. Certain providers receive a higher weight than others, in theorder LSSI/INFOUSA/MANUAL/GOVERNMENT; and

4) Listings that contain the words “Customer Service”, “Main Number”,“Main Info”, and “Reservation” are given priority.

Subsequently, if the request is resolved and a corresponding listing isuncovered, then platform 20 proceeds to step 306. Alternatively, if therequest can not be resolved and no corresponding listings are found thenplatform 20 sends an SMS that states that the request can not beresolved along with an embedded link 406 and the process skips to step312.

At step 306, assuming the request is resolved, platform 20 generates aresponse SMS 400 to return to mobile device 12 of user 10. As shown inFIG. 6, response SMS 400 typically includes the requested listing 402and possibly some additional promotional material or information 404 ifthe request was for a commercial listing.

A typical SMS response message 400 to be sent to mobile device 12 ofuser 10 may have the following form:

Phone Number and Addresses: <listing # of total listings> <Listing Name><Listing Number> <Listing Address> <Listing City, State and Zip><Back-End Marketing Message> <assistance link>

One or more responsive listings may be included in response SMS 400,particularly if more than one request meets the desired search criteria.In fact, if numerous listings meet the desired criteria multipleresponse SMS messages 400 may be sent.

Search results may also include the distance to the listing from thecenter part of the requested locality, defined from the position of user10.

For Example:

Starbucks    0.5 mi 484-373-0510 3712 Easton-Nazareth Hwy Easton, PA18042

Listing limits are performed when the number of listings is too many, sothat it exceeds the number of listings (to be determined by thecustomer, typically 3) and requires further input from user 10 to narrowthe search.

The following are additional examples of SMS responses 400 to two-waySMS directory queries. A request for a nearest hardware store may resultin a two listing responsive SMS message 400

Example

1 of 2 Home Depot   0.5 215-537-6100 4640 Roosevelt Blvd. Philadelphia,PA 19124 Call 411 for movie listings, show times, and NOW TICKETS! 2 of2 Home Depot   1.0 215-744-1128 2615 Castor Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19140How do I get there? What time is the show? . . . Call 411.Example Response Message 400 for Medical Listing with Caption:

1 of 1 Fox Chase Cancer Center  1.5 Institute for Cancer Research215-728-6900 333 Cottman Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19019 Call 411 for GiftShops, Florists, Restaurants and More!

The following is another example of user 10 response message 400 to adirectory assistance request for a nearby Starbucks® coffee shop usingthe text search “starbucks downtown nyc”

Caller Receives Following Text Messages:

1 of 3 Starbucks   1.5 212-513-1006 100 Church Street Manhattan, NY10007 Call 411 for movie listings, show times, and NOW TICKETS! 2 of 3Starbucks   2.1 212-677-6447 51 Astor Place Manhattan, NY 10003

How do I get there? What time is the show? . . . Call 411.

3 of 3 Starbucks   2.5 212-269-8717 45 Wall Street Manhattan, NY 10005How do I get there? What time is the show? . . . Call 411.

In one embodiment of the present invention, response message 400 mayinclude WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) pushes to mobile device 12.For example, user 10 looks for the closest Starbucks, but does not knowhow to get there. Response message 400, in addition to the basicinformation described above may include a WAP link 408 to a WAP pagewith driving directions, maps, business hours, etc. specific to thatlisting.

In another embodiment of the present invention, assuming the WAP link408 is included with response message 400, platform 20 may furtherimplement alerts with regard to the WAP function. For example, if a userrequests WAP directions to be pushed with response message 400 in WAPlink 408, this function may further include an alert function tied tothe location of mobile device 12 as derived from an auto locationability (e.g.) GPS. As mobile device 12 and its user 10 approach alocation where a turn or other change is about to occur, either device12 itself via the WAP application or platform 20 may alert the user tocheck the provided directions so they are aware that the change or turnis about to occur in the directions.

In another example, WAP link 408 in response message 400 for alerts maybe used in conjunction with calendar software. User 10 may employ anOutlook® calendar or other such software which can be synched withplatform 20. When away, user 10 may employ their mobile device 12 tosend an SMS text message to platform 20 requesting to see theircalendar. In response platform 20 may send a response message 400,including a series of hyperlinks for each of the calendar entries withinsome predefined timeframe. If the user presses a hyperlink related toone of the calendar entries, user 10 is instructing platform 20 to issuean alert regarding that entry. For example, if user 10 clicks on linkfor a meeting, the alert may function as a reminder SMS or call one dayor several hours prior to the meeting. If the link is to an appointmentcalendar event, then the alert may be a reminder but may also includetraffic alerts on the day of the appointment notifying user 10 that theyneed more time to make the appointment. As with the other SMS messages400 described above, both the calendar requests and the alerts maintaina transaction record 100 and a embedded link 406 for operator assistanceshould user 10 need to contact platform 20 for additional live operatorassistance.

Regardless of the listings requested and delivered, at the same timeresponse SMS 400 is being generated, platform 20 further updates historyfield 204 of user profile 200 and also generates a transaction record100 to be stored in record module 45.

As noted above, included within response SMS message 400 is a link 406or other hot button command, that allows user 10 to reconnect toplatform 20 in the event that the requested data 402 is incomplete,incorrect or inaccessible. FIG. 6 illustrates a typical exemplaryresponsive SMS message 400 with embedded link 406 included.

In one embodiment of the present invention, enhanced services platform20 maintains the ability for user 10 to request live operator assistancein the event that user 10 is having difficulty obtaining their requestedinformation or if the information in response message 400 is wrong orincomplete.

Link 406 is preferably constructed as either a hyperlink, or “livecommand” link within response message 400 which upon clicking oractivating directs device 12 to initiate a return call to platform 20.Alternatively, link 406 may be a command or other such instruction todevice 12 that allows user 10 to voice command to reconnect to platform20. Yet another option is that link 406 issues an instruction to device12 to make a creation button a “hot button” to call back to platform 20.

Platform 20 also has the ability to proactively ask user 10 directlyduring the automated two-way SMS session if they would like to speak toan operator based upon the trouble they are having with obtaining theirrequest. This further requires platform 20 to track the queries back andforth via the text, and recognize that user 10 is having difficulty.

Aside from the ability for link 406 to instruct mobile device 12 tocontact platform 20 upon its activation, link 406 also includes anembedded code, such as the information from transaction ID field 101 oftransaction record 100 for the two-way SMS transaction that resulted inthat response message 400. It is noted however, that the embedded codeis not limited in that respect to transaction ID 101, but any suchmanner in which platform 20 can recognize a prior user 10 two-way SMStransaction when user 10 re-connects through link 406, such as using ANI(Automatic Number Identifier) or combination of other embedded sessionIDs are all within the contemplation of the present invention.

At step 308, platform 20 sends response message 400 to mobile device 12of user 10 for their review. Next, at step 310, user 10 reads message400 and utilizes the information accordingly. If the information iscorrect, then the operation is complete. However, if the information isincorrect or incomplete, user 10 activates link 406 in a manner outlinedabove.

At step 312, if user 12 clicks on the provided link then at step 314reconnects them to operator assistance module 35 of platform 20. Asnoted above, link 406 includes an embedded code such as the transactionID 101. When user 12 clicks the link to re-connect, a packet is alsogenerated that includes the transaction ID 101 or other such sessionidentifying code. Upon receiving the incoming call/messages from link406, embedded link 406 having already sufficiently generated a sessionidentifying packet, allows platform 20 to retrieve a copy of transactionrecord 100 corresponding to the transaction ID 101 for the initialsession. This transaction record 100 is forwarded to the operator atoperator assistance module 35 in their pop screen so that they will nothave to rehash the entire original SMS request with user 10. Suchreconnected communications can occur as either a voice telephone call oras a live text/IM session.

For example a typical exchange between user 10 and operator assistancemodule 35 may go as follows:

User 10 may simply click on embedded link 406 that has the function ofconnecting or dialing to a live operator at platform 20 or use someother hot button or voice command associated with link 20.

(312)System <TONE> “Welcome to Directory Assistance.” System “One momentplease while you're connected to an (314)CSR operator.” “I understandyou're looking for a Starbucks in downtown New York City.” Caller “Yes.Can you tell me the closest one to where I'm at, (316) CSR please.”“Yes, I located your location and found a Starbucks on Varick Streetbetween Vandam and Dominick Streets.” Caller “Great, thanks!” CSR “Thankyou, have a nice day.” (318) System “Thank you, a text message of thislisting is being sent to you now. Please hold while your call isconnected at no additional charge to 646-xxx-xxxx. Thank you for callingDirect

Thus, at step 316 platform 20 is able to retrieve a new or betterlisting from listing data module 60 and forward it to mobile device 12of user 10 without the need for repeating the initial SMS text requestof user 10 and without resending already known bad or incompleteinformation.

Again, as seen in the above example, at the end of the operator sessionafter linking back to platform 20, at step 318, user 10 may beautomatically connected to the desired second party (call completion),they may simply have the new data sent or they may be connected and havea back-up new response message 400 sent.

Platform 20 has the ability to credit the user 10/carrier 14 for anycustomer service impacting issues such as wrong number, incorrectresponse text message 400, etc. Two potential forms of credit exist,either credits for user service issues through mobile originating textmessages as well as mobile originating text messages with live operatorassistance.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the above process fortwo-way SMS directory assistance further includes front end and back endmarketing promotions, such as text messages related to the desiredrequest. For example, if a user requests a particular listing,Starbucks® for example, then that proprietor may wish to push additionalcoupons or promotional messages along with response message 400. Otherback end branding may be from competitors in related fields of businesswho purchase message space through auction in order to cross compete.

Front end branding and messaging may include text messages that crosspromote other products within enhanced services platform 20 or maysimply be a paid advertiser's text ad, sent immediately upon a userrequesting data (step 300) so that user 10 may get the service for areduced cost or free.

It is understood that these are just examples of associated brandingwith the above described two-way SMS directory assistance and are in noway intended to limit the scope of the invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, session based billing may beemployed by platform 20. This feature allows the correlation of eachresponse message 400 with the original request from user 10. It enablesservice provider 14 to charge users 10 per session as opposed to permessage. Preferably any billing arrangements are simply coupled torecord database 45 such that transaction records 100 which include botha transaction ID 101 and a user ID 102.

Non-billable events may include the following instances:

-   -   1) Customer responds to error message or must activate link 406        to correct an entry; and    -   2) Customer request lost due to connectivity issue, such as a        dropped wireless connection.

Billable events may include the following instances:

-   -   1) Customer requests same listing within a configurable amount        of time, (for example request same listing more than 24 hours        after first request); and    -   2) Customer requests live operator.

Billing according to the present invention may include the followingprovisions:

-   -   1) Multiple texts included in one “search” may require the        session to be binded the entire time the transaction is going        back and forth;    -   2) Ability to bill/invoice carrier for each user 10 session;    -   3) Ability to bill/invoice at first “text rate” for a pure text        session;    -   4) Ability to bill/invoice at second “live rate” for operator        assisted sessions;    -   5) Ability to bill/invoice based on carrier and/or carrier        market area;

It is understood that such billing information is derived and stored inbilling module 48 and may use information derived from transactionrecord 100 in record database in the case of any questions regarding howa particular session should be billed.

In another embodiment of the present invention, enhanced serviceplatform 20 may generate reports according to the following criteria:

1) Daily report indicating the total number of directory assistance textrequests received, broken down by the type of request (business,residential, government, EDA, etc.), including the number of sessionsper request and results provided to user 10;

2) Daily report indicating the number of instances in which a liveoperator was requested and results of that interaction;

3) Develop a reporting mechanism that identifies what, if any, user 10impact, providing a text message of residential or business listingshave to the percentage of calls for repeat numbers;

4) Identify directory assistance characteristics of SMS users 10, i.e.are SMS users 10 heavy directory assistance users, do they call forrepeat numbers, etc. . . . ;

5) Daily report indicating the number of directory assistance calls fora particular geographical market and the percent of users 10 who choseto have an SMS sent for the requested listing; and

6) Daily report indicating the number of failed attempts, i.e. SMSmessages that were sent that were never received by the SMSC.

It is understood that the above example of a two-way SMS informationrequest from platform 20 and subsequent correction by linking back tothe platform 20 by using embedded link 406 is only one possible mannerof employing such a process for SMS requests. Below are describednumerous additional SMS request related services offered by platform 20.In each case, the above process for requesting, delivery, linking, andre-connection by link are equally applicable.

In one embodiment of the present invention, platform 20 is able toprovide users 10 with object recognition and mobile tagging services.Utilizing newer mobile devices 12 with embedded image viewing screensand cameras users may be able to utilize a camera 13 in mobile device 12in conjunction with platform 20 to further ease and enhance the abilityof user 10 to obtain desired information about a particular object orlocation.

In one embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 7,linking data module 60 further maintains an object recognition module 70configured to compare images sent from mobile device 12 of user 10against pre-existing stored images to determine the identity of theimage provided by user 10 so as to allow platform 10 to provideinformation related to such recognized item as discussed in more detailbelow.

Also provided within linking data module 60 is an image tagging database72 having an image storage module 74 and a related tag storage module76. Image tagging database 72 is configured to allow user 10 tophotograph an object and submit it to platform 20. User 10 may performone of two tasks, either first they may add associated notes or “tags”to the image or alternatively they may have their submitted imagerecognized by other images stored in image storage module 74, to reviewassociated tags in related tag storage module 76 and to see what othershave written about the same image.

Beginning with object recognition, in an exemplary procedure for objectrecognition, the present invention provides a wireless application, andrelated method for providing a procedure to analyze images based ontwo-dimensional shape primitives. In the procedure, an objectrepresentation is created automatically from an image taken by user 10and then this representation is applied to another image by objectrecognition module 70 for the purpose of object recognition.

The features used for the representation are the two-type oftwo-dimensional shape primitives: local line segments and vertices.Furthermore, the creation of object representations is extended tosequences of images, which is especially needed for complex scenes inwhich, for example, the object is presented in front of a structuredbackground. Furthermore, using GPS or other auto location services inmobile device 12, platform 20 can greatly reduce the amount of storedimages that need to be scanned against by limiting the objectrecognition to only other images that are in proximity to the geographicposition of user 10. Furthermore the addition of a compass in mobiledevice 12 can also further reduce the amount of stored images that needto be scanned by further limiting the object recognition to only otherimages that are not only in proximity to the geographic position of userbut taken facing the same or similar direction.

The process performed by object recognition module 70 which is typicalof commercial object recognition software may include using a programthat creates a model histogram of the people and objects that aredesired to be identified in the image from camera scene. The imageextracted is segmented into regions that correspond to a person orobject whose identity it is desired to be determined for each regionextracted from the image. A histogram is computed for the extractedregion and an indicator is produced respectively of the degree ofsimilarity between the extracted region histogram and each of the modelhistograms, forming exclusive combinations of the degree of similarityindicators where each combination is made up of one indicator associatedwith each extracted region of the image and each indicator in thecombination is derived from a different model histogram. The combineddegree of similarity value is computed for each of the indicatorcombinations and the largest combined degree of similarity value isidentified.

Each extracted region is designated and used to compute the identifiedlargest combined degree of similarity value. If this value exceeds aprescribed threshold corresponding to the object associated with themodel histogram a particular person or object of interest is identified.These initial mode histograms are then assigned to the image cell wherethe centroid of their associated extracted regions reside. Theextraction and histogram creation procedures are accomplished in thesame manner as discussed above in connection with the description of thebasic object recognition process.

Once the initial model histograms are created and assigned to theappropriate cell, the processing of “live” images of the scene canbegin. Here again the segmentation of the live image to extract regionslikely to depict a person or object of interest and the creation of ahistogram from each extracted region proceeds as discussed previously.Each live image is then divided into the aforementioned plurality ofcells. It is understood that the above is only one exemplary process forobject recognition. However, any similar object recognition software orsystem, employed in a similar enhanced service providing platform arewithin the contemplation of the present invention.

Thus, according to one embodiment of the present invention, user 10 maybe walking down the street looking for somewhere to have dinner, andstop outside a nice-looking restaurant, but there aren't many peopleinside. This may be because it is too early in the evening, but it stillmay lead user 10 to questions the service of the establishment.Utilizing the present invention, user 10 may take a picture of therestaurant and send it by SMS to enhanced service platform to see if theimage can be parsed by object recognition module 70. If so, database 60of platform 20 may be able to pull up a list of reviews associated withthe recognized object and forward them to mobile device 12. The same canbe done for monuments and tourist attractions, CDs, logos, billboardadvertisements, etc. . . . . It is understood that such a responsive SMSmessage 400 includes a link 406 for connection to a live operator atplatform 20 for additional assistance as discussed in detail above.

In another embodiment of the present invention, user 10 may be able tophotograph a store or commercial institution and message the photo toplatform 20. Object recognition database 70, after recognizing the storemay forward response message 400 to mobile device 12 allowing user 10 toaccessing online stores, holiday guides, movie times, sale coupons,associated with the recognized object.

For example, if user 10 takes an image of store such as a Walmart®,platform 20 upon recognition of the image, may send sales coupons forthe store in responsive SMS 400. In another example, if user 10 takes animage of a sports team logo from another persons baseball cap, platform20 upon recognition, may send a link to the on-line store for that teamin responsive SMS 400 so that user 10 may purchase a similar hat.

In another example, as shown in FIG. 8, user 10 may take a photograph ofa UPC or bar code on a product inside of a store and then send it by SMSto platform 20. Once received, object recognition module 70 in platform20 can pare the image of the bar code and allow automated responsemodule 40 or live operator terminal module 35 to look up the product andforward response message 400 to user 10 including information about theproduct such as product specifications, reviews, prices, etc. . . . .Regarding prices, user 10 may request that platform 20 compare the pricein the store against those on the internet and include such informationin response message 400. For example, if the bar code is for a TV,response message 400 may include prices from different retailers forsimilar products at other stores so that user may check on the relativeprice difference and be in a better bargaining position with the store.

Additionally, the responsive message may include links to productspecifications, reviews or even additional cross promotional items suchas paid advertisements from competing stores or TV brands. It is alsonoted as with all SMS inquires a transaction record 100 is created forthe two-way SMS transaction between user 10 and platform 20. Responsivemessage 400 includes a link 406 for connection to a live operator atplatform 20 for additional assistance as discussed in detail above.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, object recognitionmodule 70 may be used to recognize text within photographs which can bein turn converted to a search engine search by platform 20. This allowsuser 10 to carry out a much broader search, and it does not rely on acentral text database of stored information. For example, if the usertakes a photograph of the declaration of independence using camera 13,object recognition module 70 may not only search for other images thatmatch but may actually convert a portion of the image to text and run atext search enhance the total quality of results provided to user 10 inresponse message 400.

In yet another example of object recognition, a user 10 may photograph arestaurant or hotel. When this information is sent to platform 20 andobject recognition module 70 discerns the identity of the object,response message 400 may include WAP or HTTP functionality to obtainratings for the establishment and even links for booking reservationsthrough platform 20.

In each instance it is understood that the message sending for suchobject recognition services may employ any of the features outline aboveregarding two way SMS, such as embedded links 406 in response message400 should object recognition module 70 not be able to recognize theobject or alternatively provide incorrect information. User 10 canactivate link 406 and be connected with a live CSR at operator terminalmodule 35 for further assistance.

Additional services contemplated to be supported by platform 20 inconjunction with object recognition module 70, may include among otherservices, being taken automatically to user's 10 favorite sports team'swebsite when they take a photo of their logo, or a travel guide inresponse to a photo of a monument in a city.

In an exemplary process, as illustrated in FIG. 9, user 10 may at afirst step 500 take a picture of monument using their mobile device 12.At step 502, user 10 sends the message with attached image to platform20 requesting object recognition services and attaches the image.

Next, at step 504, automated response module 40 receives the message,via electronic format interface module 30 and parses the request,forwarding the image to object recognition module 70.

If the image is not recognized, then at step 506 platform 20 sends aresponse message 400 to user 10 indicating that the image could not berecognized, with an embedded link 406 if user 10 would like liveoperator assistance.

However, if the object is recognized, at step 508, platform 20 sends aresponse message 400 to user 10 with some correlating informationthereon. The correlated information is not limited in any respect, solong as it in some way is connected to the object recognized. In thepresent example of a monument, the corresponding information may beinformation about the monument, related historical attractions, commentsfrom previous users 10 who have tagged the location and local paidadvertisers, such as restaurants, that are near by etc. . . . . Theresponse message 400 still includes link 406 in case the correspondinginformation is incorrect or incomplete.

Turning now to mobile tag searching, the present invention contemplatesa feature whereby images captured by user 10 using the phone on mobiledevice 12 are used to gain more information about that image from ananalysis of historical data, such as a missing element in the image oridentifying the image itself. Furthermore, the present inventioncontemplates searches of related images based on tags and sharing imageswith others, either nominated friends or the general public. Such aservice offered by platform 20 would be in addition to other services,and would operate akin to mobile community, utilizing meta-data derivedfrom all users 10 and stored within platform 20.

In operation, a mobile tagging service on platform 20 would begin bygathering/receiving tagged photographic input from all users 10 who areinvolved in the service. For example, at the point the image is takenfrom mobile device 12, there are three classes of data elements that arepotentially captured in accordance with the present invention.

a) Temporal, for example the time that the image was captured;

b) Spatial—The GPS location or cell id of mobile device 12; and

c) Personal/Social—Username (and other personal profile informationwhich user 10 chooses to share), presence, any tags that user 10 hasentered (text), other people in the vicinity (perhaps identified byBluetooth), other places of interest recently visited etc. . . . .

The resultant photograph image is then stored in image storage module 74and the related “tags” meta-data are stored in the related tag storagemodule 76. All of this associated data is referred to as a mobile tagassociated with the image.

The data stored in image tagging module 74 and corresponding tagdatabase module 76 may be enriched by data sources such as land registrydata, mapping data etc. In this case, platform 20 may take thegeographical component of the tagging data and possibly imagerecognition information from the image data and obtain existingdocumentation. Personal stored data within a personal portal page mayalso be assigned through an operator service or directory assistanceservice. For example, if a user 10 takes a picture of Big Ben, platform20 may utilize the GPS data of the tagged image and the objectrecognition to recognize that this is Big Ben and then supplement thetagged data by obtaining content from the web or other proprietary(advertiser) sources such as colorful maps of the area etc. . . . .

Once the image is received and the meta-data tags are stored tagged datamodule 76 of platform 20 attempts to provide additional informationabout the image sent by user 10 using previously submitted tags fromprior users 10, who sent similar images. Recognition of what tags toreturn to user 10 may be based on tags with similar GPS locations ofuser 10 at the time of the picture, on object recognition of theprovided image, or any other manner that is likely to give relevantresults to user 10.

For example, many users of this service on platform 20 send in images ofBig Ben clock in London, each of which are tagged with GPS data of themobile device 12 position, times and dates as well as notes from users10. When a later user 10 sends in an image of Big Ben (also withassociated tag data) platform 20 sends back a response message 400concerning the tag data from other users.

Thus, according to this invention, user 10 need only photograph alandmark or a monument, restaurant, etc. . . . , and send the photographto platform 20 as an attachment to an SMS. Immediately user 10 willreceive back a wealth of tag data from previous photographers of thesame site, possibly including the name of the site, notes on other localattractions, commentary on the history of the monument etc, exactlocation, and other amount of diverse user based and user generateddata.

The tag data returned to mobile device 12 of user 10 is presented as aseries of hyperlinks, each relating to a different tag. The images andassociated text data may be arranged in the returned SMS in some orderbased on size, date, relevance, or even on a usefulness scale that isgenerated by feedback from other tag users such as best previous pictureor most useful commentary on the area.

With this meta-data from other users 10, the ‘river Thames’ and ‘Houseof Parliament’ could be identified to the person capturing the thirdimage. This is because potentially other users 10 would have capturedseparate images of the three points of interest and tagged themaccordingly.

Thus, if the third user 10 wanted to know ‘the river in the image’ orthe ‘building in the image’ they would be presented with a likely set ofrelated points of interest which could include the river Thames and theHouse of Commons.

In another embodiment of the present invention, sharing of personalinformation through the tag process may include an “air graffiti”feature, whereby users 10 can ‘pin’ digital ‘post it notes’ at anyphysical (geographic) point. For example, if user 10 was at a holidaydestination and took a picture or a video of that location, that user 10sends the image to platform 20 along with ‘posted’ notes stored in thetag data. Those specific comments are made accessible to the user's 10‘friends’ who are other users 10 of this service on platform 20. Sometime later, another users 10 designated as friends may come to that sameplace and as they walked by the location, platform 20, monitoring thelocation of mobile device 12, would recognize a tag from tag databasemodule 76 for that location (in proximity) and a response message 400would be sent to device 12 with the notes and the related picture fromimage tagging database 74.

Thus, in an exemplary process for using the image tagging serviceplatform 20, as illustrated in flow chart FIG. 10, at a first step 600,user 10 takes a photograph of some object, and at step 602, tagmeta-data from device 12 is associated with that image, such as time anddate, location and/or personal notes and comments entered by user 10. Atstep 604, user 10 sends a text or SMS message to platform 20 includingthe image and tag data as an attachment to be stored in image storagemodule 74 and corresponding tag storage module 76. Finally, at step 606platform 20 aggregates the image and corresponding tag data from varioususers 10 so that corresponding data for geographically similar regionsare related in some way to one another.

In a subsequent action beginning at step 610, a user, not necessarilythe same user 10 from steps 600-606 but any user 10, may access the tagmeta-data by taking a photograph and sending by text to platform 20. Atstep 611, using object recognition module 70 and preferably geographicdata of user 10 (GPS from mobile device 12) as well, platform 20collects data to send in text format back to user 10 in a responsemessage 400. The data included can be other pictures of the same objectby other previous users 10, related tag data for the image, other imagesof near-by locations and their associated tag data, etc. . . . .

In a separate manner for accessing tag meta-data, at step 612 user 10may simply indicate that they have physically entered or be monitored byplatform 20 physically entering a geographic location for which priorusers have taken images and associated tag data stored in image taggingdatabase 74 and corresponding tag data database 76. At step 614, uponreceiving information that user 10 is in a given location, platform 20can retrieve corresponding image and associated tag data for thatlocation and forward it to user 10 as a hyperlink in a response message400.

It is understood that in either case of step 610/611 of 612, responsemessage 400 includes a link 406 that allows users to connect to a liveoperator at operator assistance module 35 for more information, shouldresponse message 400 be incomplete or incorrect as discussed in detailabove. Such instances may include the recognized image being obviouslyincorrectly identified and the like.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a private bank may utilizeplatform 20 and the above described two-way SMS features, allowingplatform 20 to act as an intermediary for accepting credit cardapplications submitted with images of the user's 10 photoidentification, user's 10 photo social security card, and driver licenseimages required for the application being sent via SMS/MMS on platform20 by. Necessary photos can be generated by simply using the built incamera 13 feature of mobile device 12.

Thus, a credit card offer could go out through platform 20 and user 10could complete the credit card application, send a photo of themselves,a photo of their drivers license and social security card back throughby secured and encrypted 2 Way SMS/MMS to the platform 20. This data isthen stored in a side third party directory of database 60 managed byplatform 20 until it is sent to the issuing bank for processing.

The notification of card approval is sent back DA platform 20 and inturn to user 10 by SMS/MMS with the same link 406 included in allresponse messages 400. Should issues arise with the retrieval ofinformation, a live operator is able to speak to user 10 who activateslink 406, and where transaction record 100 is automatically popped(pre-entered) to the operator's terminal so they will already know thenature of the call.

An additional use for such a feature can simply be for merchant securityfor example, mobile device 12 may be capable of facilitating commercialtransactions via SMS. As a security measure, the merchant may requestvia platform 20 that user 10 send a picture of themselves or theirdrivers license. Based on prior SMS settings, user 10 can take a pictureof themselves or ID and SMS back to platform 20 by copying and pastingthe hyperlink sent by platform 20 in the request. Once the picture istaken, user 10 sends it back, copies the hyperlink, and pastes it to theforwarding address for the picture. The picture is sent and assigned tothe proper transaction record 100/transaction ID 101. Once the pictureis approved the merchant receives an approval code and authorizes thecommercial transaction.

As illustrated in flow chart FIG. 11, at a first step 700 in anapplication process, an issuing bank generates an application 701 foruser 10. A sample application 701 is shown in FIG. 12. At step 702,platform 20 forwards this message by MMS text to mobile device 12 ofuser 10. It is noted that this application for that is sent to user 10may be in a WAP format, or other template format, or alternatively itmay imply be a free from text application.

Next, at step 704, user 10 enters the requested information and, at step706 sends it by secured text message back to platform 20. At step 708the completed text application is stored in database 60 and then latersent to or retrieved by the party that generated the application. Atstep 710, the information is validated by either administrators from thebank or from platform 20 in some manner to check its authenticity, suchas by using a registered e-mail account, accessing a social securitynumber derivative database having a list of valid social securitynumbers and comparing the input address with the at least one retrievedstored address to corroborate the information.

At step 712, the issuing bank either accepts or denies the application,notification of which is sent at step 714 by way of a response message400 sent by platform 20. As with the other applications described aboveon platform 20, a link 406 is send in response message 400 so that user10 may link back to a live operator at platform 20 with any questions,with link 406 providing sufficient information to platform 20 topre-populate the operator terminal with transaction record 100 includingthe earlier application messages to and from platform 20.

In another embodiment of the present invention, additional options thatare employed in the banking/card applications may include the abilityfor user 10 to send an e-mail to platform 20 in which they desire thatthat the recipient confirms that they received it and read it, similarto registered mail from the postal service. Here the e-mail would besent via platform 20 using a special e-mail server. User 10 first sendsthe e-mail, with address information, which is in turn received byplatform 20. A notice is generated and sent to the intended recipient.The recipient opens the message sent by platform 20, and must click alink to download the original email. User 10 is sent a message in returnfrom platform 20 letting them know that if the recipient chose to readthe message or ignore it. Preferably both parties including user 10 andthe intended recipient would register with platform 20 for this service,so potentially user 10 would build a list of people that they areprepared to accept messages from including the banking institutions forapplication, and also working as a secondary SPAM filter.

In one embodiment of the present invention, enhanced services platform20 and its two-way SMS services may be employed by users 10 to create,view and vote on various multi-media files, such as digital video clips.

For identification purposes, the director is user 10 who creates anduploads a video; a fan is a user 10 who is a member of a director's fanclub who can view videos only; a Member Of The Academy (MOTA) is a user10 that may view and vote on videos; the academy are systemadministrator and the general pubic are on-line or wireless users 10that are casual visitors to the voting system on platform 20.

For example, user 10 may register as a director, a fan or a votingmember of the service. Directors can upload videos from the web or froma mobile device to platform 20 to be stored on database 60. For examplea user 10 with director status may shoot a digital video clip usingcamera 13 from their mobile device 12 and can then upload the video toplatform 20 for viewing and downloading by others users 10, such asdirectors and fans. Users 10 with fan status can watch videos andreceive alerts when a new video is uploaded from a director for whomthey are a fan on the web or on mobile device 12;

Voting users 10 of the service, such as members with fill registration,can then vote for their favorite videos in various categories. Votingusers 10 may vote by sending a text message to a premium short code.Additionally, members of the general public can search for and downloadvideos from platform 20 by searching on line or through their mobiledevice 12. This availability to the general public is to encourageadditional registrations to the service.

In addition to allowing the voting on various videos, an award systemcan be used for rewarding directors for their submissions. For example,by a simple tallying system awards are made to videos in each categoryand a best director is awarded based on a simple vote count. Votingdatabase 55 is used to support the storage of votes on various clips.The award for best director may entitle that user 10 to be awarded aprize such as having the video aired on national TV, in an advertisementfor example.

In one embodiment, platform 20 may charge directors to upload videosthat they want considered for an award, and may also charge fordownloading videos to voting members of the system, fans, or generalpublic mobile devices 12.

As such, as illustrated in FIG. 13, in a first step 800 a user 10registers to use the voting feature of platform 10 as a director or as amember of the academy (MOTA). This may include registering as aDirector; a Fan; a MOTA; or any combination of them. MOTA typicallyidentify a category or categories of interest. Users 10, regardless ofstatus select an ID and password. Such process can be performed on-lineor over a text service on the mobile device 12 of user 10.

At a next step 802, director status users 10 may establish a fan club togenerate interest in their movie clips. Fans, at this stage may sign upto join fan clubs of desired directors. At step 804, a director uploadsa video to platform 20 using their mobile device 12 or a web page. User10 with director status may annotate the video with a blurb, cast, crew,information etc. . . . , and is preferably given some editing options.

Next, at step 806 fans directors and MOTA may download videos fromplatform 20 by texting a short code to platform 20 for the desiredvideo. The search for a desired video be sent as a text search, similarto that discussed above in FIG. 5, where the text request is parsed atstep 304. Here the video or clip request is parsed and a group of 1 tothree possible videos meeting the search criteria are sent to user 10.Alternatively, the selection of videos or clips may be menu drivenincluding most frequently requested lists or current vote leaders etc. .. . .

At step 808, after viewing users 10 may text a vote to platform 20,rating the video where the votes are stored in voting module 55. At step810, platform 20 may tabulate the vote after some pre-defined amount oftime to determine the most popular videos/directors and issue awards inappropriate categories. Throughout the process, SMS messages 400 such asvoting messages, and notifications to users 10 may include a link 406for connecting to platform 20 to a live operator to assist with anyproblems, similar to the process outlined above.

As additional options such a video/voting feature supported on platform20 may also allow general public viewing of video clips to encourage newusers 10 to join the feature and may also facilitate communicationsdirectly between members to encourage increased SMS and—email traffic.Furthermore, searching of the videos, either on-line or using mobiledevices 12 is facilitated by allowing text searches by category(animals, friends, sports etc. . . . ), director name, time and date,length of video, etc. . . . . . Such searches are available to both thegeneral public as well as registered users 10.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 14,mobile device 12 can be used in conjunction with platform 20 to provideupdates, patches, modifications, etc. via two-way SMS directoryassistance. Here video game console 90 is either connected to internetor directly to mobile device 12 of user 10.

In the area of video games and their consoles, many more complicatedgames frequently have patches, updates, additional levels or other fangenerated additions that are widely dispersed across the internet.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in flow chartFIG. 15, at step 1000, user 10 contacts platform 20 by SMS requesting anupdate or plug-in for their game console. Next, at step 1002, automatedresponse module 40 or operator terminal 35 performs a search for thedesired information/download

At step 1004, if found platform 20 sends response message 400acknowledging that the desired files have been found and is ready fordownload. At step 1006, user 10 sends a reply text indicating that theyare connecting directly to the console and that the download should besent directly through mobile device 12. Alternatively, the user mayrespond with an IP or MAC address of the console if such console isdirectly connected to the internet, instructing platform 20 to send thefiles directly to console 90.

It is understood that response message 400, as above includes a link 406that, should issues arise regarding the provided files to console 90, alive operator is able to speak to user 10 who activates link 406, andwhere transaction record 100 is automatically popped (pre-entered) tothe operator's terminal so they will already know the nature of thecall.

In one embodiment of the present invention, SMS messaging facilitated byplatform 20 may provide the additional feature for sending and receivingof short messages between different users 10, as well as the addition ofspeech capabilities to standard text messaging systems creating amultimodal SMS service (hereinafter referred to as multimodal messages).

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, this featurepresents an SMS facilitated multimedia feature supported by a multimediaSMS module 79 for users 10. Unlike other SMS features described abovewhere users 10 communicate with platform 20, here users 10 communicatewith one another using platform 20 as a facilitator. This featurefurther uses platform 20 to provide a two way web based promotionalfeature for building memberships and sending bulk and low volume SMStext messages to mobile phones 12 via the Internet.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, enhanced services platform 20 is configuredto further maintain network components including a Short Message ServiceCenter (SMSC) 80 and a multimodal platform module 82.

Such a feature of system supported by multimedia SMS module 79contemplates the use of user's 10 input and/or output devices 12including those capable of playing and recording speech and thosecapable of entering and displaying text information; a speechrecognition engine 83 on multimodal platform module 82 with anadditional capability of recording voice to a SMS speech database 85; atext-to speech engine 84 on multimodal platform module 82 for renderingtext into spoken words; an application server on multimodal platformmodule 82 that uses the speech engines to combine speech with textmessages created using one the input devices; and sending such combinedmessages to a device 12 that provides one or more of the outputcapabilities

The text input on mobile device 12 is used to compose a message to besent using standard SMS technology. The multimodal platform module 82and the features it supports on platform 20 combine the text message (ifany) with a spoken message if desired by user 10. The combined ormultimodal message can be sent to recipient(s) who then can read thetext message and retrieve, from database 85 of platform 20, theassociated voice message. Speech recognition engine 83 may be used foreasy control of the playback and recording of voice messages as well asthe control of other useful messaging function.

An application scenario is a sequence of user actions, spanning a singleor multiple modes. For example, user 10 may start the application indata mode and then switch to voice mode. Multiple application scenarioscan be supported using multimedia SMS module 79.

Switching between modes can be actuated via user and/or applicationcontrol. These scenarios can be supported from a single application codebase in a single multimedia SMS module 79. In each of the followingscenarios both Alice and Bob are wireless subscribers (users 10), andeach operates a wireless telephone or mobile device 12, where thewireless telephones and other components are capable of communicatingthrough a wireless network.

Example 1

1. Alice sends a text SMS to Bob and Bob replies with voice using amultimodal SMS generated using multimedia SMS module 79 of platform 20.

In this scenario, Alice sends a text SMS message to Bob, which may besent through Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 80. Bob receives andviews the SMS message and chooses to respond with a multimodal SMSmessage generated using multimedia SMS module 79. Bob chooses to replyusing voice, clicks on the multimoda SMS link that is embedded in theSMS message, and records his voice message. The multimodal SMS servicealso allows Bob to:

A) Listen to other multimodal SMS messages;

B) Delete the message or other Multimodal SMS messages; and

C) Forward this and other multimodal SMS messages.

It should be noted that the link embedded in an SMS message can becreated at the sending device, or by using the multimedia module 79 toSMSC link, or by using a modified SMSC. In a preferred embodiment,multimedia module 79 adds the links.

Example 2

2. Alice receives a multimodal SMS from Bob, reads the text, and clicksthe multimodal SMS link to retrieve and hear the voice portion of themessage.

Scenario 2: For this scenario, Alice receives a text SMS notifying herthat Bob has sent her a multimodal SMS. Alice clicks on the linkembedded in the SMS message to listen to the voice message. After shehas heard the message, she has three options:

A) Reply to the message using voice in a multimodal SMS message;

B) Reply to the message with text delete the message; and

C) Forward the message as a multimodal SMS message containing voice andany original text.

Example 3

3. Bob connects to the multimedia SMS module 79 and records a voicemessage for Alice. A Multimodal SMS is sent to Alice, containing a linkto the voice message left by Bob.

Scenario 3: In this example, Bob initiates a multimodal SMS message tosend to Alice. He connects to multimedia SMS module 79 and speaksAlice's number, then records and sends his Multimodal SMS message (whichmay include, possibly, creating a voice message. Alice receives an SMSmessage with an embedded link which she can activate to listen to themessage.

Example 4

4. Alice calls in and chooses to listen to her SMS messages.

Scenario 4: In this scenario, Alice wishes to listen to her text-basedSMS messages. She is driving or unable to view her mobile screen. Shecalls a number connecting her to platform 20 and then is led through aseries of voice prompts that enable her to access, select, and listen tothe text, rendered by the Text-to-Speech engine 84 of multimodalplatform module 82, (and any recorded speech) in the multimodal SMSmessages that she has received. Once again, she has three options:

A) Reply to the message with a multimodal SMS message containing voice;

B) Reply to the message with text. Delete the message; and

C) Forward the message as a multimodal SMS message containing voice andany original text.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in flow chartFIG. 17 a multimodal SMS message is created at a first step 900, whereuser 10 creates any text message they wish to send (possibly even anempty message) and determines to whom the message is to be sent usingwhat-ever mechanisms are provided by the device.

At step 902, if user 10 wishes to add speech to the SMS message, theyclicks on a multimodal SMS link in their phone book or similar mechanismprovided by the device 12, which connects them through the voice networkto multimodal SMS module 82, assuming they are subscribers to thefeatures supported by multimedia SMS module 79 of platform 20. If theuser selects to add an image or voice recording, the same transactionrecord 100 is assigned to the additional voice or image record.

At step 904, instructions are provided to user 10 to allow them torecord their voice message through the speech recognition engine 83. Therecorded voice message is then stored for future retrieval SMS speechdatabase 85. The specific storage mechanism used for SMS speech databasemay include a media server, a database or any other storage mechanismthat facilitates storing audio content.

Next, at step 906, user 10 then sends the SMS message, which istransmitted through the SMS network to the Short Message Service Center80, (SMSC) which, transmits the message to the recipient and alsocommunicates a link within the message that allows multimedia SMS module79 to uniquely associate the SMS message and the stored voice message inSMS speech database 85.

Thus, in the present invention, voice is sent as part of an SMS messageby including within the SMS message a link to retrieve the voice messagefrom another location. For example, the SMS message may contain a linkto multimedia SMS module 79 which, when accessed, causes the voicemessage to be retrieved from SMS Speech database 85. This link includesan embedded transaction ID 101 or transaction record 100 such thatplatform 20 recognizes the ID and retrieves any associated voice orimage files from database 85 that have the same ID, as applied from step902 above. Alternatively, the link may be to any other location (thirdparty), where user 10 is led through any series of events to obtain thevoice message.

At step 908, when the message is received by user 10 at the other end ofthe connection there is a telephony link embedded in the message that,using whatever method is available on the recipients' device 12, onceaccessed, connects the recipient to SMS conferencing module 79 whichretrieves the voice message from SMS speech database 85 and plays it tothe recipient. At step 910 recipient users 10 may include a voice reply,a text SMS reply or deletion of the message stored on the server.

Additional features that may be employed with the above describedmultimodal SMS conferencing applications may include providing user 10with the capability of storing, editing and applying lists of recipientusers 10 so that a message can be distributed to a number of recipients.These lists are preferably stored in the SMS conferencing module 79.Such lists could be entered by conventional means or could be uploadedto platform 20. Once stored the lists could be used for addressingmultimodal SMS or even standard text SMS messages.

Instead of composing the text SMS message in advance, one embodiment ofthe present invention further envisions addition of text material to avoice message while a voice connection is active to the speechrecognition engine 83. This preferably is done using an UnstructuredSupplementary Services Data (USSD) channel which is a standardlow-bit-rate channel that can be active, if enabled by the networkprovider 14, simultaneously with a voice connection. (This can also beaccomplished by using SMS technology to directly send an SMS.) Thoseskilled in the art will also realize that other mechanisms inherent incurrent devices and networks can be used to simultaneously encode andsend the small text messages required, while a voice connection isactive.

A further exemplary capability is the storage of preset or standardmessages (“canned” messages) that could be stored in the SMS speechdatabase 85 and maintained using a web or Wireless Application Protocol(WAP) interface. Once stored these messages would be accessible usingthe voice interface already provided as part of Multimodal SMS.

If contacts are stored in mobile device 12, rather than in the network,they can also be used in addressing a Multimodal SMS message. They couldbe accessed as part of the multimodal services of platform 20 by usingan application on device 12 or through the use of USSD as previouslydescribed. If a buddy list, used with a Push-to-talk (PTT) capabledevice, is available that list can be used for sending a multimodal SMSand it also can be used for sending a voice message to a friend who isoff-line using the PTT capability. The resulting message can also beretrieved using PTT.

Any message, or text portion of a message, sent via standard SMSmechanisms can, as part of the invention described herein, beintercepted and converted, using text to speech engine 84 of multimodalplatform module 82, to a multimodal SMS for forwarding to the recipient.If one of users 10 (e.g., the sender of the message) has access to adevice 12 that supports MMS or EMS capability the invention allows thespeech component of an enhanced message to be removed from the message,stored in the multimodal platform module 82 and delivered as aMultimodal SMS message to a recipient even if the recipient has a deviceonly supporting SMS text capability.

Multimodal platform module 82 of SMS conferencing module 79 also allowsmultimodal SMS message creation and retrieval by other means and withother than standard wireless telephones. Any device that supports eitherSimultaneous or Sequential Multimodal applications, or Web applications,can be used. These include Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), PocketPCs, laptop and desktop PCs as well as any wireless or wire line devices12 supporting such applications. As an illustrative example, a PDA thatsupports simultaneous multimodal applications could be used to entertext via a keyboard while recording the voice portion of the messagesimultaneously. Complex control option can be displayed on the PDAscreen and selected using a stylus. Having access to such devices 12, orto MMS or EMS devices, an additional inventive idea allows creation anddisplay of video data, which can also be stored in the SMS speechdatabase 85 and controlled through the multimodal SMS conferencingmodule 79.

If user 10 has a WAP capable mobile device 12, image extensions to textSMS may be provided by storing these in a separate image directory inSMS database 85 and providing them, through the multimodal platformmodule 82 application for display on the WAP browser in mobile device12.

In general, since the data, voice or image, associated with themultimodal SMS message is stored in the SMS database 85 it can bedirected to other media. Such media illustratively includes print media.The multimodal SMS can be printed on a Kiosk or home computer printer.The voice portion of a multimodal SMS can be directed for retrieval toany standard voicemail system, such as those provided for networkstorage of voice messages, or directed to any telephone for listening orpossible storage on local voicemail. In further illustration, inaddition to direct printing of image data portion, the voice portion canbe converted to text using the ASR (“Automatic Speech Recognition”)element of the Speech Server and similarly directed to a standardprinter.

It is understood that any similar SMS conferencing applications carriedout on a similar SMS conferencing module 79, are within thecontemplation of the present invention.

1. An enhanced services platform said platform comprising: an interfacefor receiving a communication from a user requesting a desired data; anautomated response module for parsing said communication and retrievingsaid desired data, said enhanced services platform configured to arrangesaid desired data into a response message that is sent to said user,wherein said response message includes an embedded code corresponding toa link allowing said user to re-contact said enhanced services platform;and an operator assistance module configured to receive communicationsfrom said user initiated via said link to provide further assistanceregarding said user's request.
 2. The enhanced services platform asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said enhanced services platform isconfigured to receive text communication from said user in accordancewith any one of the group consisting of SMS (Short Message Service), IM(Instant Message), and e-mail.
 3. The enhanced services platform asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said communication platform is furtherconfigured to generate a transaction record including a transaction IDfield for storing a unique ID code for tracking said user's request. 4.The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 3, further comprisinga user request field wherein said user request field includes a copy ofsaid text communication from a user requesting a desired data.
 5. Theenhanced services platform as claimed in claim 3, further comprising aresponse message field wherein said response message field includes acopy of said response message that was sent to said user.
 6. Theenhanced services platform as claimed in claim 3, wherein said embeddedlink in said response message includes data identifying said transactionrecord.
 7. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 3, whereinwhen said enhanced services platform receives a re-contact request fromsaid user via said embedded link in said response message, said enhancedservices platform recognizing said transaction ID, displays said userrequest and said response message to an operator at said operatorassistance module.
 8. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim1, wherein said embedded link, when activated, directs a mobile deviceof said user to place a telephone call to said enhanced servicesplatform.
 9. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1,wherein said embedded link corresponds to a hot button command on amobile device of said user.
 10. The enhanced services platform asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said embedded link corresponds to a voicecommand on a mobile device of said user.
 11. The enhanced servicesplatform as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a derivative useridentifier database module, configured to store information aboutfrequent users of said enhanced services platform in a user profile. 12.The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 11, wherein said userprofile includes a user identification field, a history field, and apreferences field.
 13. The enhanced services platform as claimed inclaim 12, wherein said history field includes past requests for desireddata made by said user.
 14. The enhanced services platform as claimed inclaim 13, wherein said preferences field includes user preferences forhow said user would like to interact with said enhanced servicesplatform.
 15. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 14,wherein said preferences include any one of the group consisting oflanguage choice and response message format.
 16. The enhanced servicesplatform as claimed in claim 15, wherein said preferences are set insaid preferences field based on prior use by said user as stored in saidhistory field.
 17. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim15, wherein said preferences are set in said preferences field areconfigured to be set manually via direct user contact with said enhancedservices platform.
 18. The enhanced services platform as claimed inclaim 1, wherein a mobile device of said user includes auto-locationability.
 19. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 18,wherein said auto-location ability is GPS (Global Positioning System).20. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 18, wherein saidenhanced services platform is configured to receive text communicationfrom a user requesting a desired data in a nearest-to-me format,requesting a listing that is in proximity to said user's geographiclocation.
 21. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1,wherein said response message includes a WAP (Wireless ApplicationProtocol) link for additional services, related to said desired dataincluded in said response message.
 22. The enhanced services platform asclaimed in claim 21, wherein said WAP link is for any one of the groupconsisting of reservations, tickets and directions.
 23. The enhancedservices platform as claimed in claim 22, wherein said link isconfigured to be activated by said user such that said enhanced serviceplatform uses an auto-location ability in a mobile device of said userto provide alerts to said user indicating an upcoming event or turn insaid directions.
 24. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim1, wherein enhanced services platform is configured to be synched with acalendar program of said user such that said enhanced services platformcan send upcoming events from said calendar program in said responsemessage as a series of links, such that upon activation, said enhancedservices platform calculates a reminder to be sent to said user that isadjusted based on existing traffic conditions between said user andupcoming event.
 25. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim1, wherein said response message includes an embedded back-end marketinglink subsequent to said desired data.
 26. The enhanced services platformas claimed in claim 1, wherein said response message includes anembedded front-end marketing link prior to said desired data.
 27. Theenhanced services platform as claimed in claim 26, wherein said back-endmarketing link is a cross promotion to other services offered by saidenhanced services platform.
 28. The enhanced services platform asclaimed in claim 27, wherein said front-end marketing link is a crosspromotion to other services offered by said enhanced services platform.29. A method for providing enhanced communication services on anenhanced services platform, said method comprising the steps of:receiving a communication at an interface from a user requesting adesired data; parsing said communication at an automated responsemodule; retrieving said desired data; arranging said desired data into aresponse message that is sent to said user, wherein said responsemessage includes an embedded code corresponding to a link allowing saiduser to re-contact said enhanced services platform; and receiving acommunication at an operator assistance module from said user initiatedvia said link to provide further assistance regarding said user'srequest.
 30. The method as claimed in claim 29, further comprising thestep of receiving text communication from said user in accordance withany one of the group consisting of SMS (Short Message Service), IM(Instant Message), and e-mail.
 31. The method as claimed in claim 29,further comprising the step of generating a transaction record includinga transaction ID field for storing a unique ID code for tracking saiduser's request.
 32. The method as claimed in claim 31, furthercomprising the step of copying said text communication from a userrequesting a desired data in a user request field.
 33. The method asclaimed in claim 31, further comprising the step of copying saidresponse message that was sent to said user in a response message field.34. The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising the step ofincluding data identifying said transaction record in said embeddedlink.
 35. The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising the stepof receiving a re-contact request from said user via said embedded linkin said response message, said enhanced services platform recognizingsaid transaction ID, displays said user request and said responsemessage to an operator at said operator assistance module.